Just as Su Cheng was taking Zhu Zhuqing to the Blue Silver Forest, Qian Renxue, having completed her cultivation and with some free time, proactively went to the Pope's Hall to find Bibi Dong.
At this moment, Bibi Dong was in her office within the Pope's Hall, sitting on a golden chair behind a large square table, reviewing intelligence reports sent from various Spirit Halls across the continent.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, she did not look up and casually said, "Since when did you become so discourteous?"
Qian Renxue ignored her reproach, her eyes scanning the documents scattered on the table.
"Changes in the upper echelons of the Silves Kingdom, the prince's son assassinated...
"An unknown Spirit Saint appearing in the Fasno Province of the Heaven Dou Empire...
"..."
Seeing that most of these reports were from insignificant places on the continent, she paid them no mind and looked at the figure behind the desk.
"What's the situation with your new disciple?"
"You mean Zhuqing?"
Bibi Dong put down the pen and paper in her hand, leaned back against the silk cushion of her chair, and then extended an arm to support her chin, lazily picking up the teacup beside her.
The sunlight outside the window shone through the steam rising from the teacup, casting a golden glow on her perfect profile, highlighting the soft lines of her beautiful face.
Even the fine hairs on her fair skin seemed visible.
Bibi Dong took a slow, unhurried sip of the hot tea before speaking slowly, "She is the fourth daughter of the Duke of Hell in the Star Luo Empire, and theoretically should also be the fiancée of Dai Mubai, the third prince of the Star Luo Empire."
"Dai Mubai? Who's that?" Qian Renxue was puzzled; the name meant nothing to her.
"That's... never mind, see for yourself."
Bibi Dong stopped mid-sentence, reached into a cabinet behind her, pulled out a file folder, and tossed it to her.
Qian Renxue caught it, gave Bibi Dong a suspicious glance, then opened the folder and began to read the documents inside.
As she read further, her expression began to change, her brows gradually knitting together.
"I really underestimated this girl, to have such means...
"Her spirit evolved from an ordinary Hell Civet to a Hell White Tiger. At the same time, that Dai Mubai who used to study with her at Shrek Academy vanished without a trace?"
Hearing her subconscious remark, Bibi Dong's eyes flashed momentarily, but it was fleeting.
When Qian Renxue looked up, her expression had already returned to normal, showing no signs of any unusual reaction.
"Dai Mubai is the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, Zhu Zhuqing's fiancé. The royal family's spirit is the top-tier Beast Spirit White Tiger, which can form the spirit fusion ability Hell White Tiger with the Zhu family's Hell Civet.
"And the other pair of heirs in the Star Luo royal family is the first prince Dai Weisi and his fiancée Zhu Zhuyun?
"Logically, with Zhu Zhuqing's innate spirit power of level seven, there's no reason her spirit could advance further. Even if evolution were possible, it should have been achieved by Dai Mubai, who has higher innate spirit power."
Qian Renxue spoke thoughtfully.
"Zhu Zhuqing's Hell White Tiger spirit probably has some issues with its origins..."
"I didn't say that," Bibi Dong replied indifferently. "Making baseless accusations behind someone's back isn't like you."
Seeing her posture, Qian Renxue frowned in disgust.
What she hated most now was Bibi Dong's pretentious and enigmatic demeanor.
Especially in the past year or so, Bibi Dong had become increasingly strange, with many actions that she couldn't fathom at all.
"Why did you suddenly decide to take her as a disciple? Are you dissatisfied with Nana?"
Qian Renxue placed the stack of documents and the folder on the table, crossed her arms, and looked down at Bibi Dong, who remained composed, tapping her elbow with her finger.
"Nana satisfies me very much; she's far more obedient than you. But who said I can only take one disciple? I also want to take Su Cheng as my disciple," Bibi Dong said nonchalantly.
"How boastful." Qian Renxue scoffed lightly, then waved her hand dismissively. "Do whatever you want, I don't care."
With that, she turned and left the Pope's Hall.
She had only come to understand Zhu Zhuqing's situation, and now that she knew, she had no reason to stay.
Being under the same roof with Bibi Dong only made her feel annoyed.
Besides, she didn't have time to waste here.
The soul bone she had absorbed earlier contained vast energy and the laws of the special soul bone skill, all of which needed to be slowly comprehended and integrated.
She was under a lot of pressure.
Even though she could now contend with divine power thanks to her innate strength, her level was still too low to fully convert and absorb it in a short time.
In the depths of her sea of consciousness, the two intertwined souls had shifted from her previously holding a slight advantage to now being far behind the primary personality.
She needed to achieve a deeper understanding of her cultivation technique and convert the holy attribute energy to regain balance.
The Cangming Transformation that Su Cheng had taught her was only just beginning; to perfect it further required her own continuous understanding.
"Strange..."
After Qian Renxue left, Bibi Dong didn't relax; instead, she frowned, feeling puzzled.
She had been prepared to argue with Qian Renxue, had even thought through her arguments, but unexpectedly, the matter was brushed off lightly by the other party.
She couldn't help but wonder what Su Cheng had told her.
Qian Renxue's unusual behavior made her uneasy; it wasn't what she had anticipated.
If Su Cheng thought Bibi Dong had changed her ways, he was certainly overthinking it.
She suggested Zhu Zhuqing go out for training with Su Cheng because she had other plans.
She wasn't so kind-hearted as to take the blame for Su Cheng.
Even in simulated battles, she relied on scheming and ambushes to ensure victory, never adhering to fair play.
Now, she could never be so selfless.
Especially regarding Qian Renxue, she would go to any lengths to hinder her.
In the Blue Silver Forest.
After negotiating with the Blue Silver King, Su Cheng took out a bottle of pale red liquid and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Remember this?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised an eyebrow; how could she forget this potion?
Without a word, she took the potent potion designed to stimulate bloodline and make it resonate externally.
She waited for Su Cheng to continue.
Not beating around the bush, Su Cheng explained, "You heard earlier that the Blue Silver King will help you condense a new spirit ring, allowing you to advance to Spirit Emperor."
"Condense a spirit ring directly without hunting spirit beasts?" Zhu Zhuqing was amazed.
She had never heard of anyone being able to do this.
"Yes, without hunting spirit beasts. Just follow my instructions, and you can condense a spirit ring perfectly matching your spirit's attributes, reaching the maximum age limit you can bear."
"What should I do?" Zhu Zhuqing quickly calmed down, as compared to Su Cheng's previous actions, this didn't seem that extraordinary.
Pointing at the Blue Silver King, Su Cheng said, "It will use this forest to draw in enough free spirit power. Then you can use the potion. Just two drops will suffice. Then, circulate your cultivation technique fully to stimulate your Hell White Tiger bloodline.
"With the potion and the technique's aid, a blank ring of laws will appear. The spirit power gathered by the Blue Silver King will naturally enhance its age.
"When you feel it's ready, stabilize it as you normally would when absorbing a spirit ring, fully integrating it into your spirit, forming a perfectly compatible sixth spirit ring for your Hell White Tiger."
After speaking, Su Cheng scrutinized her thoughtfully.
"With your current foundation, I estimate you can bear at least an 80,000-year sixth spirit ring."
Zhu Zhuqing's physical condition far exceeded her current level, even surpassing Qian Renxue at the same cultivation level and almost matching Su Cheng at his peak.
She had a 100,000-year soul bone and had consumed two powerful herbs enhancing physical strength.
Moreover, Zhu Zhuqing's unique cultivation technique was tailor-made for the Hell White Tiger, easily stimulating her bloodline.
There was no risk of accidents.